The Orthin are isopod-aliens, reclusive but inquisitive, with an affinity for high-energy physics (in other words, their ships can mount unusually powerful beam cannons). Like a number of the aliens in the milieu, they are aquatic.

Thanks, I think it's important for the ships within a race set to be visually distinct, yet obviously part of the group. The latter is not too hard if you have a theme and reuse some signature elements.

Cool. It works with the aquatic vibe for sure. And agreed, as far as in a game, or a comic, or any sort of visual medium, readers/viewers need to tell one faction's ships apart from the other, they need to look distinctive, and unified enough to be picked out from anywhere else. I think that's one thing you do really well.